SK hynix retained its position as South Korea’s top-rated major corporation in an annual management evaluation released May 20, outperforming rival Samsung Electronics for a second consecutive year.
The survey, conducted by Korean corporate research firm CEO Score, evaluated 249 nonfinancial companies among the country’s 500 largest businesses by revenue across eight categories, including growth, investment, global competitiveness and corporate governance.
SK hynix scored 648.3 points out of 800, earning particularly strong marks for rapid growth, capital investment and financial stability. Samsung Electronics followed with 615.4 points, holding onto second place for another year.
KT&G rose to third place with 587.0 points, up from seventh last year, while Celltrion climbed from eighth to fourth with 584.0 points.
Hyundai Motor Company ranked fifth for a second straight year with 563.9 points. Naver, Kia Corporation, Samsung C&T, Samsung Biologics and Kakao rounded out the top 10, with Kakao entering the list for the first time.
Among companies with annual revenue exceeding roughly $7.3 billion, SK hynix led the high-growth category, followed by Hanwha Corporation, Hankook Tire & Technology, Korea Zinc and Korean Air.
For companies below that revenue threshold, APR, Hanwha Hotels & Resorts, SAMT, Doosan Corporation and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries posted the strongest growth performance.
CEO Score said acquisitions and corporate integrations contributed to the improved results at Hankook Tire & Technology, Korean Air and Hanwha Hotels & Resorts.
Samsung Electronics topped the investment category after spending approximately $65.4 billion last year, including roughly $37.9 billion in capital expenditures and $27.5 billion in research and development, the largest investment total among surveyed companies.
SK hynix, Kakao, Hyundai Motor and LG Chem followed Samsung Electronics in the investment rankings.
In global competitiveness, Samsung Biologics, Celltrion, Hyundai Motor, Kia and SK hynix were named the top-performing companies.
Samsung Biologics reported revenue of about $3.3 billion and an operating margin of 45.41%, compared with Chinese pharmaceutical giant Sinopharm, which posted roughly $82.7 billion in revenue and a 2.79% operating margin. Although Samsung Biologics generated only about 4% of Sinopharm’s revenue, its operating profitability exceeded the Chinese company’s by more than 42 percentage points.
In corporate governance, Kakao and KT&G tied for first place, followed by LG Innotek and HD Hyundai Marine Solution in a tie for third. Naver placed fifth.
SK hynix, Samsung Biologics, Samyang Foods, Krafton and APR received top marks in financial soundness.
In job creation, Seoyon E-Hwa, SK hynix, Naver, SK Incheon Petrochem and LIG Nex1 ranked highest.
For gender equality, Youngone Corporation, Hansae Co., Celltrion, Ottogi and Shinsegae received the strongest evaluations.
In social contribution and environmental protection, LG Household & Health Care, Hyundai Motor, Hyundai Department Store, LS Electric and KT&G were named leading companies.
